Cutting Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cutting apparatus for trimming an article, the apparatus has a manually grasped power element with a reciprocating arm having a removably engagable rotatable couple including a selectable rotational index position lock. Also included is a cutting head assembly that is removable and rotationally indexable relative to the power element, the cutting head having a pair of reciprocating cutting blades for trimming the article. Wherein operationally, the reciprocating arm drives the cutting blades that have reciprocating movement with the cutting head selectably rotatable to the power element, user wrist fatigue is reduced, also with the cutting head being removable from the power element, the cutting head assembly is easier to clean.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of United States continuation in part(CIP) patent application Ser. No. 16/035,624 filed on Jul. 14, 2018 byTerry Sandefur of Bayfield, Colo., U.S. and Charles A. Patterson ofDurango, Colo., U.S., of United States divisional patent applicationSer. No. 15/706,737 filed on Sep. 17, 2017 by Terry Sandefur ofBayfield, Colo., U.S. that is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/681,072 filed on Apr. 7, 2015 by Terry Sandefur of Bayfield,Colo., U.S. that claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/976,503 filed on Apr. 8, 2014 by Terry Sandefurof Bayfield, Colo., U.S.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a cutting apparatus that ishand held for the purpose of trimming off selected parts of an article.More particularly, the present invention of the cutting apparatus haspowered cutting blades that are axially pivotable about a cutting headfor hand held comfort and the cutting blades are removable for cleaningstemming from article contamination of the cutting blades.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Trimming an article can be a tedious and boring process, especially whena high number of repetitive cuts need to be made, even with the use of apowered cutter, the constant re-positioning of the powered cutter canlead to operator hand and wrist fatigue in having issues similar to thewell-known carpal-tunnel syndrome from a high number of repetitive handand wrist motions. Another issue can be the oil or tar resin present inthe article that can gum up the cutting blades of the cutting apparatus,requiring frequent blade cleaning. Most cutting apparatus are designedfor general use in that they can be applied to a number of differentcutting uses, from fabric, to sheet steel, to wire mesh, to plant andtree pruning, to paper, to hair, to cardboard, to wood sheeting, and soon. Each one of these cutting apparatus uses ideally has specializedcutting blades, i.e. sharpness, clearance, blade cutting pattern,material of the cutting blade, speed of the cutting blades comingtogether, the force of the blades coming together, the angle that theblades come together, how tightly clamped the blades are to one anotherat their mutual pivot point, and so on.

However, there are additional issues with the cutting apparatus outsideof the cutting blade specifics described above that concern user oroperator fatigue, as most cutting apparatus tasks are limited in theamount of time or the amount of cutting that is done, i.e. cuttingfabric for a single sewing project, this issue of operator fatigue istypically not addressed. This is mostly due to the fact that when alarge amount of cutting is required, such as the mass production ofclothing in manufacturing thus requiring many thousands of clothingitems with the required fabric cutting being done on a large scale wouldbe partially or totally automated, not only to save time, but to ensureconstant repetitive quality in the fabric cutting. Thus, when thecutting situation arises wherein one would have the need to do fairlyhigh volumes of repetitive cutting, however, not enough cutting volumeto justify automation, the problem arises of operator fatigue is usingfor instance a handheld cutting apparatus and doing a high number ofrepetitive cutting motions.

This leads to the need for design modifications to reduce operatorfatigue in using the handheld cutting apparatus for highly repetitivecutting motions, these design modifications would include ways tominimize fixed hand and wrist positioning, i.e. facilitating a varietyof different hand and wrist motions for accomplishing the same cuttingfunction. Further, structure to make separable blade cleaning easy, asthis is mostly an issue with the article to be trimmed is of an organicnature and can leave a residue on the cutting blade during use that canact to impair the cutting blades efficiency and increase friction asbetween the blades, thus overloading the drive motor.

In looking at the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,596 to Glaus,disclosed is an electric scissors assembly having a stationary blade andan independently oscillating blade driven by a motor, all mechanical andelectrical parts, particularly the scissors, motor and battery beingaccommodated and mounted in a handle-shaped casing made of two assembledparts of plastic material without any screw-fastened portions by meansof elastic portions latched to the casing, and all of the mechanical andelectrical parts being readily exchangeable. Glaus has a Teflon sliderring 10 that is inserted between the cutting blades to reduce frictionthus reducing motor power required therethrough the eccentric motordrive 23, requiring minimal space, see FIGS. 2 and 3. In Glaus, thefocus is upon the mechanism of the scissors having ease of assembly anddisassembly, wherein the scissors cutting head and the motor/drivemechanism are a single assembly, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Glaushas no teaching relative to an axially pivoting scissors head that isindependently removable.

Continuing in the prior art in United States Patent Application Number2013/0247384 to Ishiguro, disclosed is an electric scissor that isprovided with; a moving first blade, a moving second blade, a togglelink mechanism including a first link, a second link, and a drive shaft;and a drive section. In Ishiguro, one end of the first link is rotatablyconnected to a transmission portion of the first blade and one end ofthe second link is rotatably connected to a transmission portion of thesecond blade. Ishiguro has the other end of the first link rotatablyconnected to the other end of the second link through the drive shaft.The drive section in Ishiguro is configured to open/close the firstblade and the second blade by displacing the drive shaft in a directionperpendicular to an axial direction of the drive shaft. The toggle linkmechanism in Ishiguro has the advantage of increasing the mechanicaladvantage of the cutting blade to cutting blade closing force as thecutting blades are drawn closer together, thus according to Ishiguroadded cutting force between the blades in created when it is neededmost, being near the end of the cut, i.e. specifically for tree branchpruning. The drawback of the Ishiguro toggle link mechanism is in itssize, requiring a significant amount movement space as shown in FIGS. 1,2, 4, and 5. The increasing mechanical advantage of the toggle link canbest be seen in going from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, and the graph in FIG. 3.Ishiguro also has no teaching relative to an axially pivoting scissorshead that is independently removable.

Further, in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,254 to Salonendisclosed is a portable, hand-held shearing implement, which includes apair of cutting blades employing a motor powered mechanism to apply thecutting force, Salonen having a similar toggle link blade cuttingmechanism to Ishiguro thus providing for increased mechanical advantagein proportion to the closing of the blades together. The invention inSalonen is particularly adaptable for an implement to executeindividual, deliberate, cutting strokes, i.e. such that a single “cut”can be selectably executing such that the cutting blades are just movedtogether a single time as desired, this is as opposed to most poweredcutting blades that of necessity continuously move together and apartfrom one another, wherein a single selectable blade cut cannot beexecuted.

One version in Salonen may be powered by an electric motor or aself-contained internal combustion engine, driving through a gearreduction train to a reciprocatory mechanism having threaded means witha releasable coupling to drive the power stroke. Another version inSalonen employs a controllable reversing switch to effect thereciprocative action and is limited to an electric motor drive. In theformer version of Salonen, reopening of the blades is spring actuatedwith provision included to soften the impact of termination, andincludes a triggering means to stop and hold the reciprocative actionafter each cycle until released by trigger actuation. Also Salonen alsohas no teaching relative to an axially pivoting scissors head that isindependently removable.

Moving onward in the prior art in United States Patent ApplicationNumber 2013/0000130 to Maniwa disclosed are electric scissors, arotating motion of a motor is converted into a linear motion, and a linkmechanism is operated to open and close blades by the linear motion,again wherein the closing force is increased when the blades are movedtoward one another, similar to Ishiguro and Salonen. The electricscissors in Maniwa include a current control unit that controls anelectric current value to the motor, and a detection unit that detectsthat an angle between the blades becomes a predetermined angle.

The current control unit in Maniwa changes an upper limit of theelectric current value to be supplied to the motor when the detectionunit detects that the angle between the blades becomes the predeterminedangle, thus resulting in blade closing force control via motor currentcontrol and not having to have excessively strong linkage and bladecomponents that would be required otherwise similar to the linkageaction of bolt cutters that must withstand very high near blade closingcutting forces. Further, Maniwa also has no teaching relative to anaxially pivoting scissors head that is independently removable.

Continuing, in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,742 to Murphydisclosed is an electric shear assembly in which there is provided ahousing having swingably interconnected first and second cutting bladesmounted therein and projecting outwardly therefrom. In Murphy, a geartrain is mounted within the housing and is interconnected between areversible electric motor and a second blade for moving the second bladewith respect to said first blade, i.e. such that only the second bladeis moving. Also in Murphy a manually manipulatable switch assembly ismounted on the housing and is coupled through a second switch assemblyfor actuating the motor to drive the gear train in a first direction tocause the cutting blades to open and close.

Further in Murphy a cam driven by the gear train is engagable with thesecond switch assembly for selectively opening and closing the assemblyto control the motor to drive the gear train in a second direction foran interval sufficient to position the cutting blades in an openposition and deactuate said motor. In Murphy a cam type arrangement isused to transmit motor rotational action to closing pivotal movement ofthe blade, requiring a motor to be reversible to go from blade closingmovement to blade opening movement, wherein the blade closing movementfor instance can be selectively stopped at any point to help prevent afinger injury from the closing blade, and by having a slow movingcutting stroke. Also, Murphy also has no teaching relative to an axiallypivoting scissors head that is independently removable.

What is needed is a cutting apparatus that can accommodate on afunctional output basis a high number of similar cutting tasks, however,without imparting excessive fatigue upon the operator of the cuttingapparatus. Thus would be accomplished by de-coupling or buffering thefunctional end task of the cutting blades from the hand and wristmovement required of the cutting apparatus operator through variablestructure to alter positional orientations as between the cutting bladesand the operator's hand and wrist. Further desired would be structure toallow easy cleaning of the cutting blades to be able to keep them attheir optimum cutting efficiency.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is a cutting apparatus for trimming aselected portion from an article, the cutting apparatus including apower element that has a first end portion and an opposing second endportion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween. Wherein thefirst end portion has a reciprocating arm with a reciprocating movementand the second end portion is adapted to be grasped by a manual user'shand. The reciprocating arm having a first removably engagable rotatablecouple with an annulus that is about the longitudinal axis and the firstend portion having a first removably engagable interface structure.Further included in the cutting apparatus is a removable coupling havinga primary end portion and an opposing secondary end portion with alengthwise axis spanning therebetween, the primary end portion has aremovably engagable rotatable couple second interface and the secondaryend portion having a first slotted pivotal aperture.

Wherein the coupling transmits the reciprocating arm movement, alsopositionally the lengthwise axis and the longitudinal axis arecoincident to one another. Further included is a removable cutting headassembly having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal endportion with a long axis spanning therebetween. The proximal end portionincludes a fourth removable engagable interface structure that removablyengages with the first removable engagable structure, the distal endportion having a pair of cutting blades that each have a free endportion and an opposing linkage first pivotal connection with amid-blade section therebetween. The mid-blade portions have the firstpivotal connection to one another, wherein the first pivotal connectionhas a first pivotal axis, the cutting blade free end portions having ascissor type movement in a first plane.

Wherein the first pivotal connection is attached to the cutting headassembly distal end portion through a rotatable pivot head, the pair ofintermediate linkages each have a second pivotal connection, the pair ofintermediate linkages are also pivotally attached to a third pivotalconnection of the removable coupling first slotted pivotal aperture.

Operationally, the reciprocating arm drives through the removablecoupling to the pair of intermediate linkages and the cutting bladessuch that the cutting blade free end portions have the scissor movementfrom the first pivotal connection to the cutting blade free ends thatare functional to cut the article. Further the cutting head assembly isselectably rotatable in a circular movement in an indexable rotationallylocked manner about the longitudinal axis. Thus allowing the first,second, and third pivotable axes to rotate about the longitudinal axisallowing the scissor type movement in the first plane to be selectivelyrotatable about the longitudinal axis, further the cutting head assemblyand the coupling are removably engagable from the power element forcleaning.

These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cutting apparatus that includes apower element, a first end portion of the power element, a second endportion of the power element, a portion of the power element adapted tobe grasped by a user's hand, a longitudinal axis of the power elementwith a first removably engagement structure that is interfaced with afourth removably engagable interface structure of a removable cuttinghead assembly that has a rotatable pivot head, plus a means forselectable rotationally locking a circular movement of the rotatablepivot head, also shown are the cutting blades, and the light beam withthe third aperture;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation cross section from FIG. 1, giving detailof the curved power element along the longitudinal axis with areciprocating arm having reciprocating movement as driven by theelectric drive motor, a rotational axis of the motor, a barrel camelement, a swivel drive rotational coupling of the electric drive motorto the barrel cam element, a reciprocating arm that is slidably engagedto a bushing guide, and the first removably engagable interfacestructure;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation cross section from FIG. 1, giving detailof the straight power element along the longitudinal axis, wherein FIG.3 shows detail of the power element with the reciprocating arm havingreciprocating movement as driven by the electric drive motor, therotational axis of the motor, the cam drive element, the reciprocatingarm that is slidably engaged to the bushing guide, and the firstremovably engagable interface structure;

FIG. 4 is cross section 4-4 from FIG. 1 showing the removable cuttinghead assembly, the distal end portion of the cutting assembly, theproximal end portion of the cutting assembly, the movement of thereciprocating arm from the power element, the reciprocating arm, thelongitudinal axis of the power element, the lengthwise axis of thecoupling, the coincident position of the lengthwise axis and thelongitudinal axis, the first end portion of the power element, theremovable coupling, the primary end portion of the coupling, thesecondary end portion of the coupling, a second interface for the firstremovably engagable rotatable couple, the means for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement, the fourth removablyengagable interface structure, a second interface of the removablecoupling, a first slotted pivotal aperture of the removable coupling, athird pivotal connection, a pair intermediate linkages, a mid bladesection of the cutting blades, the transmission of the reciprocatingaxial force movement from the reciprocating arm, to the removablecoupling, to the pair intermediate linkages at the third pivotalconnection, to the second pivotal connection to the mid-blade section ofthe cutting blades, through a first pivotal connection, and finally tothe pair of cutting blades that creates scissors type movement at thefree end portion of the cutting blades, and the circular rotationalmovement about the longitudinal axis for the rotatable pivot head;

FIG. 5 is cross section 5-5 from FIG. 1 essentially showing FIG. 4rotated ninety degrees, with FIG. 5 showing the removable cutting headassembly, the distal end portion of the cutting assembly, the proximalend portion of the cutting assembly, the movement of the reciprocatingarm from the power element, the reciprocating arm, the longitudinal axisof the power element, the lengthwise axis of the coupling, thecoincident position of the lengthwise axis and the longitudinal axis,the first end portion of the power element, the removable coupling, theprimary end portion of the coupling, the secondary end portion of thecoupling, a second interface for the first removably engagable rotatablecouple, the means for selectable rotationally locking the circularmovement and the flexible extension, the fourth removably engagableinterface structure, a second interface of the removable coupling, afirst slotted pivotal aperture of the removable coupling, a thirdpivotal connection, a pair intermediate linkages, a mid blade section ofthe cutting blades, the transmission of the reciprocating axial forcemovement from the reciprocating arm, to the removable coupling, to thepair intermediate linkages at the third pivotal connection, to thesecond pivotal connection to the mid-blade section of the cuttingblades, through a first pivotal connection, and finally to the pair ofcutting blades that creates scissors type movement at the free endportion of the cutting blades that extend in a flat first plane, and thecircular rotational movement about the longitudinal axis for therotatable pivot head;

FIG. 6 is cross section 6-6 from FIG. 1 essentially showing FIG. 4rotated ninety degrees, with FIG. 6 showing the removable cutting headassembly, the distal end portion of the cutting assembly, the proximalend portion of the cutting assembly, the movement of the reciprocatingarm from the power element, the reciprocating arm, the longitudinal axisof the power element, the lengthwise axis of the coupling, thecoincident position of the lengthwise axis and the longitudinal axis,the first end portion of the power element, the removable coupling, theprimary end portion of the coupling, the secondary end portion of thecoupling, a second interface for the first removably engagable rotatablecouple, the means for selectable rotationally locking the circularmovement and the flexible extension, the fourth removably engagableinterface structure, a second interface of the removable coupling, afirst slotted pivotal aperture of the removable coupling, a thirdpivotal connection, a pair intermediate linkages, a mid blade section ofthe cutting blades, the transmission of the reciprocating axial forcemovement from the reciprocating arm, to the removable coupling, to thepair intermediate linkages at the third pivotal connection, to thesecond pivotal connection to the mid-blade section of the cuttingblades, through a first pivotal connection, and finally to the pair ofcutting blades that creates scissors type movement at the free endportion of the cutting blades that extend in an arcuate first plane, andthe circular rotational movement about the longitudinal axis for therotatable pivot head;

FIG. 7 is cross section 7-7 from FIG. 10 showing the cutting headassembly, the distal end portion of the removable cutting assembly, theproximal end portion of the cutting assembly, the movement of thereciprocating arm from the power element, the reciprocating arm, thelongitudinal axis of the power element, the lengthwise axis of thecoupling, the coincident position of the lengthwise axis and thelongitudinal axis, the first end portion of the power element, theremovable coupling, the primary end portion of the coupling, thesecondary end portion of the coupling, a second interface for the firstremovably engagable rotatable couple, the means for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement and the flexible extension,the fourth removably engagable interface structure, a second interfaceof the removable coupling, a first slotted pivotal aperture of theremovable coupling, a sixth pivotal connection, a reciprocating cuttingblade with transversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth, thetransmission of the reciprocating axial force movement from thereciprocating arm, to the removable coupling, to the reciprocatingcutting blade through a slidable engagement in the retainer head, andfinally to the transversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth thathave reciprocating movement at their cantilever end portion, and thecircular rotational movement about the longitudinal axis for therotatable retainer head, further shown are a plurality of transverselypositioned static cutting teeth;

FIG. 8 is cross section 8-8 from FIG. 10 essentially showing FIG. 7rotated ninety degrees, with FIG. 8 showing the removable cutting headassembly, the distal end portion of the cutting assembly, the proximalend portion of the cutting assembly, the movement of the reciprocatingarm from the power element, the reciprocating arm, the longitudinal axisof the power element, the lengthwise axis of the coupling, thecoincident position of the lengthwise axis and the longitudinal axis,the first end portion of the power element, the removable coupling, theprimary end portion of the coupling, the secondary end portion of thecoupling, a second interface for the first removably engagable rotatablecouple, the means for selectable rotationally locking the circularmovement and the flexible extension, the fourth removably engagableinterface structure, a second interface of the removable coupling, afirst slotted pivotal aperture of the removable coupling, a sixthpivotal connection, a reciprocating cutting blade with transverselypositioned reciprocating cutting teeth (not shown), the transmission ofthe reciprocating axial force movement from the reciprocating arm, tothe removable coupling, to the reciprocating cutting blade through aslidable engagement in the retainer head, and finally to thetransversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth (not shown) thathave reciprocating movement at their cantilever end portion, and thecircular rotational movement about the longitudinal axis for therotatable retainer head, further shown is the static cutting blade withits transversely positioned static cutting teeth (not shown), whereinthe static cutting blade is retained in a cap that is rotatably pinnedto the rotatable retainer head through a plurality of mating channels;

FIG. 9 shows a use drawing of the cutting apparatus with a manual userusing their hands from their wrists to manually grasp the second endportion of the power element of the cutting apparatus while using theirother hand to grasp the article to be trimmed in a selected portionlocation using the pair of open cutting blades with their scissor typemovement;

FIG. 10 shows a use drawing of the cutting apparatus with a manual userusing their hands from their wrists to manually grasp the second endportion of the power element of the cutting apparatus while using theirother hand to grasp the article to be trimmed in a selected portionlocation using the reciprocating cutting blade transversely positionedcutting teeth sliding against the static cutting blade transverselypositioned cutting teeth with their combined hedge trimmer typemovement;

FIG. 11 shows an electrical schematic diagram of circuitry for thecutting apparatus that is positioned in FIGS. 2 and 3; the circuitryshown includes the lights, the motor, and the normally open switch, plusother components that are known in the art;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the curved power elementincluding the motor, the swivel drive coupling, the barrel cam element,the reciprocating arm having reciprocating movement within the bushingguide, all being disposed within the curved housing;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the straight power elementincluding the motor, the cam drive element, the reciprocating arm havingreciprocating movement within the bushing guide, all being disposedwithin the straight housing;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the removable cutting headassembly in particular that includes the pair of cutting blades with thepivotal attachment, the intermediate linkages, the removable coupling(that axially connects to the reciprocating arm 110, 111 not shown), therotatable pivot head, with the proximal and distal end portions of theremovable cutting head assembly; and

FIG. 15 shows an assembled perspective view of the curved housingcutting apparatus that includes the cutting blades, the removablycutting head assembly, the curved housing, and the electrical power cordsleeve.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

-   50 Cutting apparatus-   55 Manual user of the cutting apparatus 50-   60 Hand of the user 55-   65 Wrist of the user 55-   70 Article-   75 Trimming the article 70-   80 Selected portion of the article 70 to be trimmed 75-   85 Power element-   86 Power element being straight along longitudinal axis 105-   87 Power element curved along longitudinal axis 105-   88 Housing of power element 86-   89 Housing of power element 87-   90 First end portion of the power element 85-   91 Rotation stop surface of housing 89-   95 Second end portion of the power element 85-   100 Adapting to be grasped by the user's hand 60 of the second end    portion 95-   105 Longitudinal axis of the power element 85-   110 Reciprocating arm of the power element 85-   111 Reciprocating arm of the power element 85-   115 Annulus of the reciprocating arm 110-   120 Cantilever section of the reciprocating arm 110-   121 Cantilever section of the reciprocating arm 111-   125 Opposing end portion of the cantilever section 120 of the    reciprocating arm 110-   130 Bushing guide affixed to the second end portion 95-   135 Slidable engagement of the reciprocating arm 110, 111 to the    bushing guide 130 to maintain reciprocating movement 140-   140 Movement of the reciprocating arm 110, 111 to transmit axial    force-   145 First removably engagable rotatable couple of the cantilever    section 120-   150 First removably engagable interface structure-   155 Removable coupling-   160 Primary end portion of the coupling 155-   165 Secondary end portion of the coupling 155-   170 Lengthwise axis on the coupling 155-   175 Second interface of the removable coupling 155 that is removably    engagable rotationally free about the longitudinal axis 105 of the    coupling 155-   180 T-slot positioned perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 170 of    the second interface 175-   185 Single outward radially oriented opening of the second interface    175-   190 First slotted pivotal aperture of the coupling 155-   195 Transmission of the reciprocating axial force through movement    140 at the coupling 155-   200 Coincident position of the lengthwise axis 170, the longitudinal    axis 105, and the long axis 220 to one another-   205 Removable cutting head assembly-   210 Proximal end portion of the removable cutting head assembly 205-   215 Distal end portion of the removable cutting head assembly 205-   220 Long axis of the removable cutting head assembly 205-   225 Fourth removably engagable interface structure-   230 Pair of open cutting blades-   235 Straight extension outward of the pair of open cutting blades    230-   240 Arcuate extension outward of the pair of open cutting blades 230-   245 Free end portion of the cutting blades 230-   250 Pivotally attached portion of the cutting blades 230-   255 Rotatable pivot head-   260 Rotation of the pivot head 255-   265 Third interface structure of the rotatable couple of the    rotatable pivot head 255-   270 Mid-blade section of the cutting blades 230-   275 Second pivotal connection-   280 Second pivotal axis of the second pivotal connection 275-   285 Pair of intermediate linkages-   290 Third pivotal connection-   295 Third pivotal axis of the third pivotal connection 290-   300 Loop structure for slidably engaging the removable coupling 155    to maintain the reciprocating movement 140-   305 First pivotal connection-   310 First pivotal axis of the first pivotal connection 305-   315 First plane-   320 Flat first plane-   325 Arcuate first plane-   330 Scissor type movement of the free end portion 245 of the cutting    blades 230 in the first plane 315-   335 Selectably cutting the article 70 with the scissors movement 330-   340 Means for selectably rotationally locking the circular movement    370 in a plurality of angular positions-   345 Flexible extension-   350 Protrusion of the flexible extension 345-   355 Second aperture-   360 Frictional projection of the protrusion 350 therethrough the    second aperture 355-   365 Clamp of the protrusion 350 to the second aperture 355-   370 Circular rotational movement of the first 310, second 280, and    third 295 pivotal axes about the longitudinal axis 105-   375 Light-   380 Beam of light of the light 375-   385 Third aperture-   390 Electrical drive motor-   395 Rotational axis of the electrical drive motor 390-   400 Cam drive drum element for transmitting motor 390 rotation about    rotational axis 395 to reciprocating motion 140 of arm 110-   401 Barrel cam element-   402 Barrel cam channel of the barrel cam 401-   403 Cam drive channel of the cam drive element 400-   405 Swivel drive rotational coupling of the electric drive motor 390    to the barrel cam element 401-   410 Means for anti rotation about longitudinal axis 105 of the    reciprocating arm 110-   411 Receiving slot disposed in the power element 86 housing 88 for    the means 410 that precludes rotation about longitudinal axis 105 of    the reciprocating arm 110 while allowing reciprocating movement 140    of the arm 110-   412 Means 410 is preferably a first pin 413 disposed therethrough    the arm 110 with a first ball bearing 414 positioned external to the    arm 110 that is received in slot 411-   413 First pin-   414 First ball bearing-   415 Means to connect the motor 390 rotation about rotational axis    395 into reciprocating movement 140 of the arm 110 via the first    ball bearing 414 riding in the channel 403-   416 Second pin-   420 Means for rotationally retaining the barrel cam 401 to the motor    390-   425 Means for reciprocating arm 111 to ride within the channel 402    and against surface 91-   430 Means 425 is preferably a third pin 431 disposed therethrough    the arm 111 with a second ball bearing 432 for riding in the channel    402 and an oppositely disposed second ball bearing 432 for    reciprocating against surface 91-   431 Third pin-   432 Second ball bearing-   435 Fifth pivotal axis-   440 Circuitry-   445 Normally open switch-   450 Substantially rigid electrical power cord sleeve-   455 Reciprocating cutting blade-   456 Reciprocating cutting blade movement-   460 Transversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth of the    reciprocating cutting blade 455-   465 Cantilever end portion of the reciprocating cutting blade 455-   470 Slidably engaged portion of the reciprocating cutting blade 455-   475 Static cutting blade-   480 Transversely positioned static cutting teeth of the static    cutting blade 475-   485 Cantilever end portion of the static cutting blade 475-   490 Retained portion of the static cutting blade 475 in the cap 525-   495 Rotatable retainer head-   500 Rotation of the rotatable retainer head 495 about the long axis    220-   505 Third interface structure of the rotatable couple of the    rotatable retainer head 495 to the distal end portion 215-   510 Slidable engagement of the retainer head 495 and the    reciprocating cutting blade 455-   515 Sixth pivotal connection-   520 Sixth pivotal axis-   525 Cap-   530 “U” shaped removably engagable pin-   535 Mating channel for receiving the “U” shaped removably engagable    pin 530-   540 Ninety degree rotational locks from the “U” shaped removably    engagable pin 530 about the long axis 220 as between the retainer    head 495 and the cap 525-   545 Second plane-   550 Circular rotational movement of the sixth pivotal axis 520 about    the longitudinal axis 105

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a perspective view of thecutting apparatus 50 that includes the power element 85, a first endportion 90 of the power element 85, a second end portion 95 of the powerelement 85, a portion of the power element 85 adapted 100 to be graspedby a user's hand 60, and a longitudinal axis 105 of the power element85. Further, FIG. 1 shows the first removably engagement structure 150that is interfaced with a fourth removably engagable interface structure225 of the cutting head assembly 205 that includes the rotatable pivothead 255, the means 340 for selectable rotationally locking the circularmovement 370, the cutting blades 230, and the light beam 380 within thethird aperture 385.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a side elevation cross section from FIG. 1, givingdetail of the curved power element 87 along the longitudinal axis 105with a reciprocating arm 111 having reciprocating movement 140 as drivenby the electric drive motor 390, a rotational axis 395 of the motor 390,a barrel cam element 401, a swivel drive rotational coupling 405 of theelectric drive motor 390 to the barrel cam element 401, plus thereciprocating arm 111 that is slidably engaged 135 to a bushing guide130, and the first removably engagable interface structure 150.

Continuing, FIG. 3 shows a side elevation cross section from FIG. 1,giving detail of the straight power element 86 along the longitudinalaxis 105, wherein FIG. 3 shows detail of the power element 86 with thereciprocating arm 110 having reciprocating movement 140 as driven by theelectric drive motor 390, the rotational axis 395 of the motor 390, thecam drive element 400, the reciprocating arm 110 that is slidablyengaged 135 to the bushing guide 130, and the first removably engagableinterface structure 150.

Next, FIG. 4 is cross section 4-4 from FIG. 1 showing the removablecutting head assembly 205, the distal end portion 215 of the removablecutting assembly 205, the proximal end portion 210 of the removablecutting assembly 205, the movement 140 of the reciprocating arm 110 fromthe power element 85, the reciprocating arm 110, the longitudinal axis105 of the power element 85, and the lengthwise axis 170 of theremovable coupling 155.

Further, FIG. 4 shows the coincident position 200 of the lengthwise axis170 and the longitudinal axis 105, the first end portion 90 of the powerelement 85, the removable coupling 155, the primary end portion 160 ofthe removable coupling 155, the secondary end portion 165 of theremovable coupling 155, a second interface 175 for the first removablyengagable rotatable couple 145, the means 340 for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement 370, the fourth removablyengagable interface structure 225, a second interface 175 of theremovable coupling 155, and a first slotted pivotal aperture 190 of theremovable coupling 155.

Also, FIG. 4 shows a third pivotal connection 290, a pair ofintermediate linkages 285, a mid-blade section 270 of the cutting blades230, the transmission of the reciprocating axial force movement 140 fromthe reciprocating arm 110, to the removable coupling 155, to the pairintermediate linkages 285 at the third pivotal connection 290, to thesecond pivotal connection 275 to the mid-blade section 270 of thecutting blades 230, through the first pivotal connection 305, andfinally to the pair of cutting blades 230 that creates scissors typemovement 330 at the free end portion 245 of the cutting blades 230, andthe circular rotational movement 370 about the longitudinal axis 105 forthe rotatable pivot head 255.

Further, FIG. 5 is cross section 5-5 from FIG. 1, essentially showingFIG. 4 rotated ninety degrees, with FIG. 5 showing the removable cuttinghead assembly 205, the distal end portion 215 of the removable cuttingassembly 205, the proximal end portion 210 of the removable cuttingassembly 205, the movement 140 of the reciprocating arm 110 from thepower element 85, the reciprocating arm 110, the longitudinal axis 105of the power element 85, and the lengthwise axis 170 of the removablecoupling 155. Further, FIG. 5 shows the coincident position 200 of thelengthwise axis 170 and the longitudinal axis 105, the first end portion90 of the power element 85, the removable coupling 155, the primary endportion 160 of the removable coupling 155, the secondary end portion 165of the removable coupling 155, a second interface 175 for the firstremovably engagable rotatable couple 145, the means 340 for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement 370 and the flexibleextension 345, the fourth removably engagable interface structure 225, asecond interface 175 of the removable coupling 155, and a first slottedpivotal aperture 190 of the removable coupling 155.

Also, FIG. 5 shows, a third pivotal connection 290, a pair intermediatelinkages 285, a mid-blade section 270 of the cutting blades 230, thetransmission of the reciprocating axial force movement 140 from thereciprocating arm 110, to the removable coupling 155, to the pairintermediate linkages 285 at the third pivotal connection 290, to thesecond pivotal connection 275 to the mid-blade section 270 of thecutting blades 230, through the first pivotal connection 305, andfinally to the pair of cutting blades 230 that creates scissors typemovement 330 at the free end portion 245 of the cutting blades 230 thatextend in a flat 320 first 315 plane, and the circular rotationalmovement 370 about the longitudinal axis 105 for the rotatable pivothead 255.

Continuing, FIG. 6 is cross section 6-6 from FIG. 1 essentially showingFIG. 4 rotated ninety degrees and being similar to FIG. 5, with FIG. 6showing the removable cutting head assembly 205, with the cutting blades230, through the first pivotal connection 305, and the pair of cuttingblades 230 that creates scissors type movement 330 at the free endportion 245 of the cutting blades 230 that extend in an arcuate 325first 315 plane, and the circular rotational movement 370 about thelongitudinal axis 105 for the rotatable pivot head 255.

Moving onward, FIG. 7 is cross section 7-7 from FIG. 10 showing theremovable cutting head assembly 205, the distal end portion 215 of theremovable cutting assembly 205, the proximal end portion 210 of theremovable cutting head assembly 205, the movement 140 of thereciprocating arm 110 from the power element 85, the reciprocating arm110, the longitudinal axis 105 of the power element 85, and thelengthwise axis 170 of the removable coupling 155.

Further, FIG. 7 shows the coincident position 200 of the lengthwise axis170 and the longitudinal axis 105, the first end portion 90 of the powerelement 85, the removable coupling 155, the primary end portion 160 ofthe removable coupling 155, the secondary end portion 165 of theremovable coupling 155, a second interface 175 for the first removablyengagable rotatable couple 145, the means 340 for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement 500, 550, and the flexibleextension 345, the fourth removably engagable interface structure 225, asecond interface 175 of the removable coupling 155, and a first slottedpivotal aperture 190 of the removable coupling 155.

Also FIG. 7 shows a sixth pivotal connection 515, a reciprocatingcutting blade 455 with transversely positioned reciprocating cuttingteeth 460, the transmission of the reciprocating axial force movement140 from the reciprocating arm 110, to the removable coupling 155, tothe reciprocating cutting blade 455 through a slidable engagement 470 inthe retainer head 495, and finally to the transversely positionedreciprocating cutting teeth 460 that have reciprocating movement 456 attheir cantilever end portion 465, and the circular rotational movement500, 550 about the longitudinal axis 105 for the rotatable retainer head495, further shown are a plurality of transversely positioned staticcutting teeth 480.

Yet, further, FIG. 8 is cross section 8-8 from FIG. 10 essentiallyshowing FIG. 7 rotated ninety degrees, with FIG. 8 showing the removablecutting head assembly 205, the distal end portion 215 of the removablecutting head assembly 205, the proximal end portion 210 of the removablecutting head assembly 205, the movement 140 of the reciprocating arm 110from the power element 85, the reciprocating arm 110, the longitudinalaxis 105 of the power element 85, and the lengthwise axis 170 of theremovable coupling 155.

Further, FIG. 8 the coincident position 200 of the lengthwise axis 170and the longitudinal axis 105 are shown, the first end portion 90 of thepower element 85, the removable coupling 155, the primary end portion160 of the removable coupling 155, the secondary end portion 165 of theremovable coupling 155, a second interface 175 for the first removablyengagable rotatable couple 145, the means 340 for selectablerotationally locking the circular movement 500, 550, and the flexibleextension 345, plus the fourth removably engagable interface structure225, a second interface 175 of the removable coupling 155, and a firstslotted pivotal aperture 190 of the removable coupling 155.

Continuing, FIG. 8 shows the sixth pivotal connection 515, thereciprocating cutting blade 455 with transversely positionedreciprocating cutting teeth 460 (not shown), the transmission of thereciprocating axial force movement 140 from the reciprocating arm 110,to the removable coupling 155, to the reciprocating cutting blade 455through the slidable engagement 470 in the retainer head 495, andfinally to the transversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth 460(not shown) that have reciprocating movement 456 at their cantilever endportion 465. Also FIG. 8 shows the circular rotational movement 500, 550about the longitudinal axis 105 for the rotatable retainer head 495,further shown is the static cutting blade 475 with its transverselypositioned static cutting teeth 480 (not shown), wherein the staticcutting blade 475 is retained 490 in a cap 525 that is rotatably pinned530 to the rotatable retainer head 495 through a plurality of matingchannels 535.

Further, FIG. 9 shows a use drawing of the cutting apparatus 50 with amanual user 55 using their hands 60 from their wrists 65 to manuallygrasp 100 the second end portion 95 of the power element 85 of thecutting apparatus 50 while using their other hand 60 to grasp 100 thearticle 70 to be trimmed 75 in a selected 335 portion 80 location usingthe pair of open cutting blades 230 with their scissor type movement330.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a use drawing of the cutting apparatus 50 with amanual user 55 using their hands 60 from their wrists 65 to manuallygrasp 100 the second end portion 95 of the power element 85 of thecutting apparatus 50 while using their other hand 60 to grasp 100 thearticle 70 to be trimmed 75 in a selected portion 80 location using thereciprocating cutting blade 455 transversely positioned cutting teeth460 sliding against the static cutting blade 475 transversely positionedcutting teeth 480 with their combined hedge trimmer type movement.

Continuing, FIG. 11 shows an electrical schematic diagram of circuitry440 for the cutting apparatus 50 that is positioned in FIGS. 2 and 3,the circuitry 440 shown includes the lights 375, the motor 390, and thenormally open switch 445, plus other components that are known in theart.

Next, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the curved powerelement 87 including the motor 390, the swivel drive coupling 405, thebarrel cam element 401, the reciprocating arm 111 having reciprocatingmovement 140 within the bushing guide 130, all being disposed within thecurved housing 89.

Further, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the straight powerelement 86 including the motor 390, the cam drive element 400, thereciprocating arm 110 having reciprocating movement 140 within thebushing guide 130, all being disposed within the straight housing 88.

Moving onward, FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the removablecutting head assembly 205 in particular that includes the pair ofcutting blades 230 with the pivotal attachment 250, 305, 310, theintermediate linkages 285, the removable coupling 155 (that axiallyconnects to the reciprocating arm 110, 111 not shown), the rotatablepivot head 255, with the proximal 210 and distal 215 end portions of theremovable cutting head assembly 205.

Continuing, FIG. 15 shows an assembled perspective view of the curvedhousing 87 cutting apparatus 50 that includes the cutting blades 230,the removable cutting head assembly 205, the curved housing 89, and theelectrical power cord sleeve 450.

Broadly in looking at FIGS. 1 to 6, and FIGS. 9 to 11, the cuttingapparatus 50 for trimming 75 the selected portion 80 from the article 70is shown, wherein the cutting apparatus 50 includes the power element 85that has the first end portion 90 and an opposing second end portion 95with the longitudinal axis 105 spanning therebetween, see FIGS. 1 to 3in particular. Wherein, the first end portion 90 has the reciprocatingarm 110 having the reciprocating movement 140 along the longitudinalaxis 105 and the second end portion 95 is adapted 100 to be grasped bythe manual user's 55 hand 60, see FIGS. 9 and 10, with the reciprocatingarm 110 extending in a cantilever section 120 having the first removablyengagable rotatable couple 145 annulus 115 that is about thelongitudinal axis 105 and the first end portion 90 also having the firstremovably engagable interface structure 150, again as best shown inFIGS. 1 to 5. The reciprocating movement 140 is created by a motor 390via being rotationally connected to a cam drive element 400, 401utilizing a means 415, 425, 410 for the reciprocating arm 110, 111 todynamically interface with the cam drive element 400, 401, see FIGS. 2,3, 12, and 13.

Also included on the cutting apparatus 50 is the removable coupling 155having the primary end portion 160 and the opposing secondary endportion 165 with the lengthwise axis 170 spanning therebetween, with theprimary end portion 160 having the removably engagable rotationally freemovement about the longitudinal axis 105 second interface 175 that formsthe removably engagable rotatable couple with the reciprocating arm 110cantilever section 120 rotatable couple annulus 115 and the secondaryend portion 165 having the first slotted pivotal aperture 190, see inparticular FIGS. 4 to 8. Wherein, the removably engagable rotatablecouple 155 transmits 195 reciprocating axial force movement 140 alongthe lengthwise axis 170 and the longitudinal axis 105, whereinpositionally the lengthwise axis 170 and the longitudinal axis 105 arecoincident 200 to one another, as best shown in FIGS. 4 to 8.

Further included in the cutting apparatus 50 is the removable cuttinghead assembly 205 having the proximal end portion 210 and the opposingdistal end portion 215 with the long axis 220 spanning therebetween, theproximal end portion 210 includes a fourth removably engagable interfacestructure 225 that removably engages with the first removably engagablestructure 150 such that the long axis 220 and the longitudinal axis 105are coincident 200 to one another, see FIGS. 4 to 8. The distal endportion 215 extends outward 235 into having the pair of open cuttingblades 230 that each have a free end portion 245 and an opposing firstpivotally attached 250 portion forming the first pivotal connection 305with the first pivotal axis 310 that is disposed within the rotatablepivot head 255, see FIGS. 4 to 6.

Wherein the rotatable pivot head 255 is rotatable 260 about the longaxis 220 within the distal end portion 215 as the pivot head 255 has arotatable couple third interface structure 265 with the distal endportion 215 that allows the pivot head 255 to have movement 370 whilethe pivot head 255 is retained in the distal end portion 215, thecutting blades 230 also extend toward the proximal end portion 210 withthe pair of mid-blade sections 270 therebetween, the mid-blade portions270 each have a second pivotal connection 275 with the second pivotalaxis 280 to the pair of intermediate linkages 285, again see FIGS. 4 to8. Wherein the linkages 285 have the single third pivotal connection 290with the third pivotal axis 295 to one another and to the first slottedpivotal aperture 190 of the removable coupling 155 that is slidablyengaged through a loop structure 300 in the proximal end portion 210 tomaintain the reciprocating movement 140 into alignment. Wherein thefirst pivotal connection 305 through the first pivotal axis 310, thecutting blade 230 free end portions 245 having the scissor type movement330 in the first plane 315, see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

Wherein operationally, the reciprocating arm 110 drives through theremovable coupling 155 to the pair of intermediate linkages 285 and thecutting blades 230 such that the cutting blade 230 free end portions 245have the scissor movement 330 from the first pivotal connection 305 tothe cutting blade 230 free ends 245 that are functional to cut 75 thearticle 70. Further, the rotatable pivot head 255 is selectablyrotatable through movement 370, wherein the first 310, second 280, andthird 295 pivotal axes all rotate in unison in a circular movement 370about the longitudinal axis 105 allowing the scissor type movement 330in the first plane 315 to be selectively rotatable 370 about thelongitudinal axis 105, see FIGS. 4 to 6. This results in the firstcutting plane 315 having rotational 370 adjustment relative to themanual grasp 100 by the user's hand 60, further the removable cuttinghead assembly 205 and the removable coupling 155 are removably engagablefrom the power element 85 via the first 150, second 175, and fourth 225removably engagable interfaces, such that the removable cutting headassembly 205 can be safely immersed into a cleaning solution separatefrom the power element 85, see FIGS. 1 to 6.

Optionally, for the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming 75 the selectedportion 80 from the article 70, the coupling 155 that is removablyengagable and rotationally free about the longitudinal axis 105 secondinterface 175 is preferably constructed of a T-slot 180 positionedperpendicular to the lengthwise axis 170 with a single outward radiallyoriented opening 185. Wherein the T-slot 180 slidably engages thereciprocating arm 110 annulus 115 for the transmission of thereciprocating movement 140 axial force while allowing free rotation formovement 370 via the t-slot 180 and annulus 115 interface and removableengagement is facilitated via the opening 185 for the separation of thereciprocating arm 110 and the removable coupling 155 that ultimatelyallows for the separation of the power element 85 from the cutting headassembly 205, as best shown in FIGS. 4 to 8.

Further, optionally, on the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming 75 theselected portion 80 from the article 70, can further comprise a means340 for selectably rotationally locking the circular movement 370 in aplurality of angular positions, as best shown in FIGS. 4 to 10.Continuing, for the means 340 for selectably rotationally locking thecircular movement 370 in a plurality of angular positions, is preferablyconstructed of a flexible extension 345 that projects in a cantilevermanner away from the rotatable pivot head 255 in an outward directionfrom the third interface structure 265, 505 and in a direction oppositethat of the first pivotal axis 310, or the channel 535 relation to thethird interface structure 265, 505. The flexible extension 345terminates in a protrusion 350 that frictionally projects 360therethrough a second aperture 355 disposed in the distal end portion215, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 8. Further, optionally theprotrusion 350 and the second aperture 355 further preferably comprise aclamp 365 to help secure the protrusion 350 and the second aperture 355to one another to further facilitate the selectable rotational lockingof the circular movement 370 in a plurality of angular positions, seeFIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 8.

Referring in particular to FIG. 5 for the cutting apparatus 50 fortrimming 75 a selected portion 80 from the article 70, the pair of opencutting blade 230 free end portions 245 are straight 235 extendingoutward from the first pivotal connection 305 having the scissor typemovement 330 in the first plane 315 that is in a flat plane 320 tooperationally facilitate direct perpendicular cuts 75 of the article 70.Next, also referring in particular to FIG. 6 for the cutting apparatus50 for trimming 75, a selected portion 80 from the article 70, the pairof open cutting blade 230 free end portions 245 can have an arcuateshape 240 extending outward from the first pivotal connection 305 havingthe scissor type movement 330 in the first plane 315 that is the arcuateplane 325 being operationally to facilitate direct angular cuts 75 ofthe article 70.

Another option for the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming 75 a selectedportion 80 from an article 70, wherein the power element 85 second endportion 95 can further comprise the light 375 that emits the light beam380 therethrough the third aperture 385 in the removable cutting headassembly 205 to operationally allow the light beam 380 to illuminate thepair of open cutting blade 230 free end portions 245 or thereciprocating cutting blade 455 and the static cutting blade 475, seeFIGS. 1 to 3, 5 to 7, and 11.

As an optional enhancement to the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming 75the selected portion 80 from the article 70, wherein the power element85 can further comprises circuitry 440 to accommodate selectableadjustment of a rotational speed on the motor 390, thus is effectselectably controlling a speed of the scissor movement 330 or thereciprocating blade 455 movement 456 in relation to the static 475cutting blades, see FIG. 11, plus FIGS. 2 and 3.

As a further optional enhancement to the cutting apparatus 50 fortrimming the selected portion 80 from the article 70, wherein the powerelement 85 can further comprise a normally open switch 445 to the motor390, wherein operationally the user 55 has to manually continuouslyactivate or push down upon the normally open switch 445 to activate themotor 390 for safety while using the cutting apparatus, being termed a“dead man” switch, wherein if the switch 445 is released the motor 390will deactivate, see FIG. 11, plus FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 8.

As a convenience option for the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming 75 theselected portion 80 from the article 70, wherein the power element 85first end portion 90 can further comprise a substantially rigidelectrical power cord sleeve 450 that extends from the first end portion90 to operationally help prevent entanglement of a power cord while thecutting apparatus 50 is in use by the user 55, see FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9 to10.

As the cutting blades 230, 455, 475 are removable from the cuttingapparatus 50 via the removable cutting head assembly 205, an alternativeset of cutting blades 455, 475, are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, which aredescribed as follows for the cutting apparatus 50 for trimming theselected portion 80 from the article 70. Starting with the power element85 and the removable coupling 155 as previously described, and lookingat the removable cutting head assembly 205 in particular that has theproximal end portion 210 and the opposing distal end portion 215 withthe long axis 220 spanning therebetween. Wherein, the proximal endportion 210 includes the fourth removably engagable interface structure225 that removably engages with the first removably engagable structure150 such that the long axis 220 and the longitudinal axis 105 arecoincident 200 to one another, the distal end portion 215 extendsoutward along the long axis 220 into having the reciprocating cuttingblade 455 that has the plurality of transversely positionedreciprocating cutting teeth 460 that are external to the distal endportion 215 on a cantilever end portion 465, see FIG. 7 in particular.

The reciprocating cutting blade 455 on an end opposing the cutting teeth460 has a slidably engaged 510 portion 470 that is disposed within therotatable retainer head 495, as a reciprocating movement 456 guide,wherein the retainer head 495 is rotatable 500, 550 about the long axis220 within the distal end portion 215 as the retainer head 495 has arotatable couple third interface structure 505 with the distal endportion 215 as previously described for the third interface structure265. The reciprocating cutting blade 455 also extends toward theproximal end portion 210 further opposite of the cutting teeth 460 for asixth pivotal connection 515 having a sixth pivotal axis 520 to thefirst slotted pivotal aperture 190 of the removable coupling 155 that isslidably engaged through the loop structure 300 to the proximal endportion 210 to maintain the reciprocating movement 140. Further includedis the static cutting blade 475 that is retained 490 in the cap 525, seeFIG. 8, wherein the cap 525 is rotatably removably engaged to therotatable retainer head 495 via a “U” shaped removably engagable pin 530that is received into a pair of mating channels 535 that are disposedbetween the rotatable retainer head 495 and the cap 525, again see FIGS.7 and 8.

The pin 530 facilitates ninety degree rotational locks 540 about thelong axis 220 as between the rotatable retainer head 495 and the cap525. The rotatable retainer head 495 is slidably 510 in contact atportion 470 with the reciprocating cutting blade 455 acting as a guideto the reciprocating movement 456. The static cutting blade 475 also hasa plurality of transversely positioned static cutting teeth 480 that arein slidable contact with the reciprocating cutting teeth 460 forming ahedge trimmer type arrangement, the reciprocating cutting teeth 460 andthe static cutting teeth 480 have movement in a second plane 545external to the distal end portion 215 where the reciprocating blade iscantilever 465 and the static cutting blade is cantilever 485.

Wherein operationally, the reciprocating arm 110 drives through thecoupling 155 to the reciprocating cutting blade 455, see FIGS. 7 and 8,such that with the static cutting blade 475 have the hedge trimmer typemovement that is functional to cut 75 the article 70, see FIG. 10,further the rotatable retainer head 495 is selectably rotatable as isthe cap 525, via pulling and reinserting the pin 530 in ninety degreeincrements about the long axis 220 as the channels 535 “box” or form asquare in the retainer head 495 about the long axis 220, see FIGS. 7 and8. Further, the sixth pivotal axis 520 rotates in a circular movement550 about the longitudinal axis 105 allowing the hedge trimmer typemovement in the second plane 545 to be selectively rotatable 550 aboutthe longitudinal axis 105, resulting in the second cutting plane 545having rotational 550 adjustment relative to the manual grasp by theuser's 55 hand 60. Further, the cutting head assembly 205 and theremovable coupling 155 are removably engagable from the power element 85via the first 150, second 175, and fourth 225 removably engagableinterfaces, such that the cutting head assembly 205 can be safelyimmersed into a cleaning solution separate from the power element 85,see FIGS. 7 and 8.

The following list is the preferred major components of constructionwhich are listed for a single embodiment of the cutting apparatus 50, itis understood that equivalents for each of the following could be usedfor the present invention of the cutting apparatus 50;

For the circuitry 440 as shown in FIG. 11 and positioned in FIGS. 2 and3, the motor 390 is a preferably a Permanent Magnet 12 volt 16 mm BodyDiameter by 2.2 in long, box Speed Reducer motor with an integral speedreducing gearbox with an output speed of 300 rpm and a 3 mm diameteroutput shaft. The main on/off switch is combined with a potentiometerand is preferably a 500K ohm, 0.2 W Power Rating, Single Linear TaperSwitch Carbon Potentiometer Model WH138. The normally open switch 445 ispreferably an Amico Momentary Push Button Tactile Switch that is a 4 pinDIP PCB that is 12 mm×12 mm×8 mm in size, UNSPSC Code 39122216. Thelight 375 is preferably a 5 mm White LED part number RL5-W6018 with apreferred lens from VCC part number LM-C5-LP or CLB 300 xxx. The DCmotor 390 speed control is preferably a 20 W rated, code 804, Level 1,from FUTURE KIT, part number FK 804-1, being in the form of apreassembled circuit board that utilizes PWM for speed control. For thepower supply it is preferably a 12 Volt 1 Amp AC to DC driven from astandard wall plug from PHC Enterprise part number PHC SW-121BP with a2.5 mm×5.5 mm center positive output plug.

For the pair of open cutting blades 230 they are preferably constructedof tool grade stainless steel material ID CPM S35 that have a Rockwell“C” scale hardness of 59-62. For the first pivotal connection 305 whosegoal is to keep a correct compressive tension as between the blades 230,the construction is preferably from a stainless steel sexbolt utilizinga pair of tension washers and a pair of self-lubricating thrust washersthat are preferably an OILITE 841 thrust washer with a 5.3 mm insidediameter and a 9 mm outside diameter by 1.6 mm thick. The fourth pivotalconnection 410 preferably uses a bushing that is an OILITE part numberFFM0306-06. For the bushing guide 130 it is preferably constructed of anOILITE part number AAM0609-12.

For the first 414 and second 432 ball bearings are preferably ⅛″ by ¼″sealed drive rod bearings from Serve City part number 535010, and theswivel couple 405 is preferably a 4 mm by 3.174 mm from Amazon partnumber a14061600ux0118.

Looking at particular at FIGS. 2 and 12, plus FIGS. 1, 4 to 8, and 14,15, for the cutting apparatus 50, wherein the power element 85 thatgenerates the reciprocating arm 111 reciprocating movement 140 isfurther constructed of a curved power element 87 housing 89 along thelongitudinal axis 105 that further includes an electrical drive motor390 having a motor rotational axis 395 that has a swivel rotationalcouple 405 to a barrel cam drive element 401 with a means 425 for thereciprocating arm 111 to dynamically interface with the barrel cam driveelement 401. Wherein the reciprocating arm 111 is slidably engaged 135to the bushing guide 130 affixed to the second end portion 95, theslidable engagement 135 facilitates the reciprocating movement 140,wherein operationally the reciprocating movement 140 is created by arotation of the electric drive motor 390 about the motor rotational axis395 wherein the barrel cam drive element 401 and the means 425 for thereciprocating arm 111 to dynamically interface with the barrel cam driveelement 401 converts the electrical motor 390 rotation into thereciprocating movement 140.

Again, looking at particular at FIGS. 2 and 12, plus FIGS. 1, 4 to 8,and 14, 15, for the cutting apparatus 50 the means 425 for thereciprocating arm 111 to dynamically interface with the barrel cam driveelement 401 is preferably constructed of a third pin 431 perpendicularlydisposed to the reciprocating movement 140 with the third pin 431disposed therethrough the reciprocating arm 111 that includes a secondball bearing 432 disposed on each opposite end of the third pin 431,with each second ball bearing 432 disposed external to the reciprocatingarm 111, see in particular FIG. 12, also FIG. 2—which shows FIG. 12assembled. Wherein one second ball bearing 432 rides within a channel402 in the barrel cam drive element 401 and one second ball bearing 432rides against a reciprocating arm 111 anti rotation surface 91 disposedon the curved power element 87 housing 89, see in particular FIG. 12,also FIG. 2—which shows FIG. 12 assembled.

Looking at particular at FIGS. 3 and 13, plus FIGS. 1, 4 to 8, and 14,15, for the cutting apparatus 50, wherein the power element 85 thatgenerates the reciprocating arm 110 reciprocating movement 140 isfurther constructed of a straight power element housing 88 along thelongitudinal axis 105 that further includes an electrical drive motor390 having a motor rotational axis 395 that is rotationally coupled to acam drive element 400 with a means 415 for the reciprocating arm 110 todynamically interface with the cam drive element 400. Wherein thereciprocating arm 110 is slidably engaged 135 to a bushing guide 130affixed to the second end portion 95, the slidable engagement 135facilitates the reciprocating movement 140, further a means 410 for antirotation of the reciprocating arm 110 about the motor rotational axis395 that is created by the electric motor 390 rotation about the motorrotation axis 395. Wherein operationally the reciprocating movement 140is created by a rotation of the electric drive motor 390 wherein the camdrive element 400 and the means 415 for the reciprocating arm 110 todynamically interface with the cam drive element 400 that converts theelectrical motor 390 rotation into the reciprocating movement 140.

Again, looking at particular at FIGS. 2 and 12, plus FIGS. 1, 4 to 8,and 14, 15, for the cutting apparatus 50, wherein the means 415 for thereciprocating arm 110 to dynamically interface with the cam driveelement 400 is constructed of a second pin 416 perpendicularly disposedto the reciprocating movement 140 with the second pin 416 disposedtherethrough the reciprocating arm 110 that includes a first ballbearing 414 disposed on the second pin 416 and the first ball bearing414 also disposed external to the reciprocating arm 110, see inparticular FIG. 13, also FIG. 3—which shows FIG. 13 assembled. Whereinthe first ball bearing 414 rides within a channel 403 in the cam driveelement 400 and the means 410 for anti rotation of the reciprocating arm110 about the motor rotational axis 395 that is created by the electricmotor 390 rotation about the motor rotational axis 395 is constructed ofa first pin 413 perpendicularly disposed to the reciprocating movement140 with the first pin 413 disposed therethrough the reciprocating arm110 that includes a first ball bearing 414 disposed on each opposite endof the first pin 413, with each first ball bearing 414 disposed externalto the reciprocating arm 110, wherein the pair of first ball bearings414 each ride within a receiving slot 411 that are disposed within thestraight power element 86 housing 88 being oppositely positioned fromone another, again see in particular FIG. 13, also FIG. 3—which showsFIG. 13 assembled.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the present invention of a cutting apparatus has beendescribed with some degree of particularity directed to the embodimentsof the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that thepresent invention is defined by the following claim construed in lightof the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to theexemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing fromthe inventive concepts contained therein.

1. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portion from an article,said cutting apparatus comprising: (a) a power element that includes afirst end portion and an opposing second end portion with a longitudinalaxis spanning therebetween, wherein said first end portion has areciprocating arm having a reciprocating movement along saidlongitudinal axis and said second end portion is adapted to be graspedby a manual user's hand, said reciprocating arm extending in acantilever section having a first removably engagable rotatable coupleannulus that is about said longitudinal axis and said first end portionalso having a first removably engagable interface structure, saidreciprocating movement is created by a motor via being rotationallyconnected to a cam drive element utilizing a means for saidreciprocating arm to dynamically interface with said cam drive element;(b) a removable coupling having a primary end portion and an opposingsecondary end portion with a lengthwise axis spanning therebetween, saidprimary end portion having a removably engagable rotationally free aboutsaid longitudinal axis second interface that forms a removably engagablerotatable couple with said reciprocating arm cantilever sectionrotatable couple annulus and said secondary end portion having a firstslotted pivotal aperture, wherein said removably engagable rotatablecouple transmits reciprocating axial force along said lengthwise axisand said longitudinal axis, wherein positionally said lengthwise axisand said longitudinal axis are coincident to one another; and (c) aremovable cutting head assembly having a proximal end portion and anopposing distal end portion with a long axis spanning therebetween, saidproximal end portion includes a fourth removably engagable interfacestructure that removably engages with said first removably engagablestructure such that said long axis and said longitudinal axis arecoincident to one another, said distal end portion extends outward alongsaid long axis into having a reciprocating cutting blade that has aplurality of transversely positioned reciprocating cutting teeth thatare external to said distal end portion on a cantilever end portion,said reciprocating cutting blade on an end opposing said cutting teethhas a slidably engaged portion that is disposed within a rotatableretainer head, wherein said retainer head is rotatable about said longaxis within said distal end portion as said retainer head has arotatable couple third interface structure with said distal end portion,said reciprocating cutting blade also extends toward said proximal endportion further opposite of said cutting teeth for a sixth pivotalconnection having a sixth pivotal axis to said first slotted pivotalaperture of said removable coupling that is slidably engaged through aloop structure to said proximal end portion to maintain saidreciprocating movement, further included is a static cutting blade thatis retained in a cap that is rotatably removably engaged to saidrotatable retainer head via a “U” shaped removably engagable pin that isreceived into a pair of mating channels that are disposed between saidrotatable retainer head and said cap, said pin facilitates ninety degreerotational locks about said long axis as between said rotatable retainerhead and said cap, said rotatable retainer head is slidably in contactwith said reciprocating cutting blade, said static cutting blade alsohas a plurality of transversely positioned static cutting teeth that arein slidable contact with said reciprocating cutting teeth forming ahedge trimmer type arrangement, said reciprocating cutting teeth andsaid static cutting teeth have movement in a second plane, whereinoperationally said reciprocating arm drives through said coupling tosaid reciprocating cutting blade such that with said static cuttingblade has said hedge trimmer type movement that is functional to cut thearticle, further said rotatable retainer head is selectably rotatable asis said cap, wherein said sixth pivotal axis rotates in a circularmovement about said longitudinal axis allowing said hedge trimmer typemovement in said second plane to be selectively rotatable about saidlongitudinal axis, resulting in said second cutting plane havingrotational adjustment relative to said manual grasp by the user's hand,further said cutting head assembly and said removable coupling areremovably engagable from said power element via said first, second, andfourth removably engagable interfaces, such that said cutting headassembly can be safely immersed into a cleaning solution separate fromsaid power element.
 2. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selectedportion from an article according to claim 1 wherein said couplingremovably engagable rotationally free about said longitudinal axissecond interface is constructed of a T-slot positioned perpendicular tosaid lengthwise axis with a single outward radially oriented opening,wherein said T-slot slidably engages said reciprocating arm annulus. 3.A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portion from an articleaccording to claim 2 further comprising a means for selectablyrotationally locking said circular movement in a plurality of angularpositions.
 4. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portion froman article according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectablyrotationally locking said circular movement in a plurality of angularpositions is constructed of a flexible extension that projects in acantilever manner away from said rotatable retainer head in an outwarddirection from said third interface structure and in a directionopposite that of said cap relation to said third interface structure,said flexible extension terminates in a protrusion that frictionallyprojects therethrough a second aperture disposed in said distal endportion.
 5. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portion from anarticle according to claim 4 wherein said protrusion and said secondaperture further comprise a clamp to help secure said protrusion andsaid second aperture to one another to further facilitate saidselectable rotational locking of said circular movement in a pluralityof angular positions.
 6. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selectedportion from an article according to claim 5 wherein said power elementthat generates said reciprocating arm reciprocating movement is furtherconstructed of a curved power element housing along said longitudinalaxis that further includes an electrical drive motor having a motorrotational axis that has a swivel rotational couple to a barrel camdrive element with a means for said reciprocating arm to dynamicallyinterface with said barrel cam drive element, wherein said reciprocatingarm is slidably engaged to a bushing guide affixed to said second endportion, said slidable engagement facilitates said reciprocatingmovement, wherein operationally said reciprocating movement is createdby a rotation of said electric drive motor wherein said barrel cam driveelement and said means for said reciprocating arm to dynamicallyinterface with said barrel cam drive element converts said electricalmotor rotation into said reciprocating movement.
 7. A cutting apparatusfor trimming a selected portion from an article according to claim 6wherein said means for said reciprocating arm to dynamically interfacewith said barrel cam drive element is constructed of a third pinperpendicularly disposed to said reciprocating movement with said thirdpin disposed therethrough said reciprocating arm that includes a secondball bearing disposed on each opposite end of said third pin, with eachsaid second ball bearing disposed external to said reciprocating arm,wherein one second ball bearing rides within a channel in said barrelcam drive element and one second ball bearing rides against areciprocating arm anti rotation surface disposed on said curved powerelement housing.
 8. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portionfrom an article according to claim 5 wherein said power element thatgenerates said reciprocating arm reciprocating movement is furtherconstructed of a straight power element housing along said longitudinalaxis that further includes an electrical drive motor having a motorrotational axis that is rotational coupled to a cam drive element with ameans for said reciprocating arm to dynamically interface with said camdrive element, wherein said reciprocating arm is slidably engaged to abushing guide affixed to said second end portion, said slidableengagement facilitates said reciprocating movement, further a means foranti rotation of said reciprocating arm about said motor rotational axisthat is created by said electric motor rotation, wherein operationallysaid reciprocating movement is created by a rotation of said electricdrive motor wherein said cam drive element and said means for saidreciprocating arm to dynamically interface with said cam drive elementthat converts said electrical motor rotation into said reciprocatingmovement.
 9. A cutting apparatus for trimming a selected portion from anarticle according to claim 8 wherein said means for said reciprocatingarm to dynamically interface with said cam drive element is constructedof a second pin perpendicularly disposed to said reciprocating movementwith said second pin disposed therethrough said reciprocating arm thatincludes a first ball bearing disposed on said second pin and said firstball bearing also disposed external to said reciprocating arm, whereinsaid first ball bearing rides within a channel in said cam drive elementand said means for anti rotation of said reciprocating arm about saidmotor rotational axis that is created by said electric motor rotation isconstructed of a first pin perpendicularly disposed to saidreciprocating movement with said first pin disposed therethrough saidreciprocating arm that includes a first ball bearing disposed on eachopposite end of said first pin, with each said first ball bearingdisposed external to said reciprocating arm, wherein said pair of firstball bearings each ride within a receiving slot that are disposed withinsaid straight power element housing being oppositely positioned from oneanother.